New to 2.0 Theming

[ShoeLace1291]

Ok, so I used to work with SMF 1.3 a lot and created quite a bit of my own custom themes.  I got the hang of that pretty well.  But now that I haven't used SMF for my own sites for a while, I'm kind of baffled at SMF 2.0's new theme... what's the deal with this main_block.png file?  I'm assuming that's all of the image "bars" in one file?  How does CSS implement this image into just one of the bars?  Is it possible to use just single images in 2.0 like you did with 1.3?

[ARG01]

Yes it can be done. But since there are many instants of the main_block.png file it would take quite a few code changes to pull it off. I actually started working on one but have not had the time to finish it yet.

[Ricky.]

Well, its just matter of getting used to new CSS, basically those are called image sprites, fun to use if you get used to them.
Start with removing all and implementing your own.

[Clara Listensprechen]

Ok, so I used to work with SMF 1.3 a lot and created quite a bit of my own custom themes.  I got the hang of that pretty well.  But now that I haven't used SMF for my own sites for a while, I'm kind of baffled at SMF 2.0's new theme... what's the deal with this main_block.png file?  I'm assuming that's all of the image "bars" in one file?  How does CSS implement this image into just one of the bars?  Is it possible to use just single images in 2.0 like you did with 1.3?

I'm guessing that the new imaging scheme with 2.0 has to do with slimming down loading time, but it does pose daunting challenges to customizing.  The main block image not only gets specific bars selected but it does a wrapping number, too, as well as what could be called a re-start (it starts at the right, runs a little bit and then starts over from the right again and continues across to the left side and suddenly starts over again....with each table column.  Try putting  a left to right gradient on that and you don't get what you intend by way of an end result (been there done that--stuck with horizontal stripes, unwillingly).  I've managed a pattern overlay for the part of the main block which serves as the header where the logo appears and I'm still trying to figure out other work-arounds.  Work in progress.

[Ricky.]

Basically smf2.0 themes are better to customize and yes it needs you little more expert with CSS .. thats the way to go !

[Deaks]

Basically smf2.0 themes are better to customize and yes it needs you little more expert with CSS .. thats the way to go !

this is an argument in its own, curve isnt the best theme to build a true theme on, its good for a variation and more advanced variations but even the designer has issues with it being used for new themes.

[Ricky.]

Basically smf2.0 themes are better to customize and yes it needs you little more expert with CSS .. thats the way to go !

this is an argument in its own, curve isnt the best theme to build a true theme on, its good for a variation and more advanced variations but even the designer has issues with it being used for new themes.

Well, I find myself more comfortable with curve than default theme of smf1.x
But, its actually better than other forums packages's themes I have used

[Clara Listensprechen]

Basically smf2.0 themes are better to customize and yes it needs you little more expert with CSS .. thats the way to go !

this is an argument in its own, curve isnt the best theme to build a true theme on, its good for a variation and more advanced variations but even the designer has issues with it being used for new themes.

I'm not surprised. Nor am I surprised that the awesome theme Distinct couldn't/wouldn't be adapted to curve. That's one of my all-time favorite themes which works fine on 1.1.x as well as on earlier 2.0 release candidates.

[TheListener]

Apologies for butting in.

What is the best way to do these areas?

Gimp or similar?